Playstation 5 Enables Developers to Skip LOD Step Due to SSD Capability

Epic Games and Mooneye Studios CEO Tobias Graff stated that the PlayStation 5 SSD will be so powerful that it will enable developers to skip the LOD step.

[Software_Lover]

“Just as with the normal maps, this step can likely be skipped completely for a lot of objects as well. The SSDs are probably the true heroes in all this, because all of the other features likely wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t possible to load these huge models and information sets fast enough.”

Just in case anyone was wondering.

My take: This coming GEN, any part of a game engine designed for the SSD, ps5 will do it better. Any part of the game engine dealing with GPU resources, xsx will do it better. End of story.

[SamPao]

Thing is. The architecture of the ps5 just DOES things fast. You would have to intentially slow it down because its automatic.
Thats how I understood it

[UltraNova]

Yeah most people focus just on the SSD speed(I guess it's easier to understand) not realizing that it's the ps5's general design with smart and efficient SoC controllers for almost everything allowing never before seen IO throughout levels of which the SSD is just a part of.

I'm really excited to see what Sony 1st party can achieve next gen!

Here's a game developer's analysis on the PS5 deep dive by Cerny for anyone interested:

https://youtu.be/erxUR9SI4F...

[Software_Lover]

If the PS5 and XSX had the same spped SSD would we be having this discussion?

They both have similar architecture just different names for it. Sony allocated more resources to their SSD throughput, Microsoft allocated for faster memory (smaller pool) and stronger gpu. BC pack, Kraken, it’s all the same.

Like I said. I don’t expect major differences between the two. People will look hard to try and find them but they will be miniscule. Both SSD’s are multiple times faster than the capabilities of the current consoles storage solutions and will help to raise minimum requirements for PC gaming. They will also allow for devs to maybe design games differently now that the minimum HDD speed and I/O throught has been changed.

Everyone is looking for an edge of their favorite toy. I get that. I just think that both sides are going to be in for a big disappointment if they are expecting drastic differences.

[Games1st]

PS5 is built around the SSD.

[Boxing1985]

Not so sure about that. They aren't mutually exclusive. The ssd will work in tandem with the gpu and ram allowing improved efficiency of both.

[KRUSSIDULL]

I'm very interested too see how big of a difference it will make to LOD/Asset streaming in open world games. I'm expecting a huge difference vs old consoles even if developers have been really good hiding LOD transitions with ~80MB/s hard drives.

[Shane Kim]

Hehe your word is somehow law? You haven't seen anything yet.

[Software_Lover]

My opinion is not law.

[Hakuoro]

Well, it's not that cut and dry, the SSD can allow the GPU and CPU to do less work. Just for example the CPU has to process LOD and manage when to change the textures then the GPU has to load and render and post process those changes. By reducing cycles for those workloads you can use them for other things.

So again as we have seen numerous devs state PlayStation maybe be able to perform better relatively than it's specific terraflops may suggest. Terraflops is just a number there is a lot more going on to put the image on the screen other than strictly the number of CU.

[derek]

Seemingly fair take. But all games this upcoming generation will be designed around the ssd and gpu there is no getting around that.

[OB1Biker]

I think X has an advantage for cross gen games but PS5 was designed to take full advantage of next gen games based on SSD streaming.

[Games1st]

It's SSD vs pc HDD, since Xbox has to make pc versions. SSD changes how developers make games, less time wasting and more first party and third party, via Unreal Engine 5 waiving the first million for PS5 games.

GPU depends on the whole system and requires real time testing.

[FyBy]

No, its just a beginning and you will be surprised.

[milohighclub]

The thing is ps5 can load the gpu resources faster

Cleaver level design, culling methods and all the talent over at naughty dog will ensure the best looking games are still playstation exclusives.

[Minute Man 721]

@ Software

I bet we won't be able to tell any difference with both consoles SSDs

Edit : never mind. You already know

[aaronaton]

This should save on space. I just feel like 3rd party developers won't bother though to keep parity between other platforms.

[phoenixwing]

Then it's probably a good thing Sony has devs making exclusives

[OB1Biker]

Idk. That sounds like saying they wont bother using a faster memory. It would be more of a hassle to try not to use it.

[Games1st]

It's easier to develop on a PS5 with OS for one system and SSD, they could just scale back for other platforms.

[Minute Man 721]

There was no parity between Snes n Genesis, ps3 n 360 (360 mulitplats looked better), no parity between ps4 n xo (ps4 multiplats looks better) but for some reason we gonna have parity this upcoming gen?

[aaronaton]

Parity via design, Xbox Ones and Series X will hold the PS5 back with 3rd party.

[RazzerRedux]

And the differences have diminished as we have moved from one generation to the next. You used to be able to see the difference in games at first glance. Now we need DF to tell us what is different.

[stuna1]

I think if your put the speed of PS5's SSD in context if its competition by measuring it in distance 1,000 miles for the PS5 would be like 500 miles for it competitor. That's a glaring difference.

[chiefJohn117]

But it's a relay race not a sprint. You got other components that work with the SSD. So ps5 1st runner (SSD) makes it to runner 2 first but Xboxs runner 2 and runner 3 are faster than PS5s.

[stuna1]

That what's being talked about here! But looking at other component in the PS5 also show that PS5 will keep in step with everything so called runner 2 and runner 3 have to offer, but won't have to stop for a drink of water.

[Games1st]

Xbox overclock is full on sprinting, they will get really hot and noisy. They will be huffing and puffing the whole way. They have a silent fan, less noise will reduce efficiency and seems impractical for something going 100%.

[RamRod88]

Or use an example realistic to the situation such as 3 seconds vs 6 seconds loading a game or 2.5 seconds vs 5 seconds, but I know that ruins your analogy of making Ps5 seem WAY faster

[stuna1]

Not really, because even incrementally it all plays out the same!

[xenz]

Its not just about loading

[chiefJohn117]

No it doesn't lots of thing play out to ameven reach 1000 miles such as exhaustion/gas etc. It's overclock it's not pushing full on unlimitedly without needing a drink of water

[RamRod88]

It does play out the same, but it's certainly not this "glaring difference" you make it out to be.

[chiefJohn117]

With slower parts and a variable clock rate? ....sure bud

[ILostMyMind]

Another developer praising PS5 architecture, but internet users will say they don't know nothing.

[Destiny1080]

I Just want 8k movie quality Textures in gran turismo 7 at 200mph

Xbox will have to settle for 1080p textures

[S2Killinit]

At this point I dont think there is any doubt

[Games1st]

This is just one example, developers can do things, that they can't on other systems.

[airshiraz]

this gen its about a giant graphical leap.its not like jump from ps3 to ps4 .its true next gen

[Melankolis]

With Sony and Epic have worked closely on UE5, even mentioned that UE5 is built for PS5, i think this is also part of the deal, given Epic is 3rd party company and has many interests in other platforms.

Epic made features to harness PS5's SSD capability in UE5, and Sony pledge to make more games using UE5.

[jairusmonillas]

More reason for 3rd party to skip Xbox Series.

[Thundercat77]

"And the hero for all of this is its high-tech Solid State Drive (SSD)."

Sony decided to invest in what really matter and what will really make a real innovation next gen.

[GamingInFrames]

Nice, but if these framerates aren't higher on either of these new consoles, then a disappointment will settle in. Both Sony and MS are pretty much silent on higher framerates at higher resolutions.

[StormSnooper]

With the number of developers praising the PS5 it’s no longer any doubt that there is something special about it.

[milohighclub]

Update the title to "Unreal 5 enables developers..." and it will be accurate.

The ps5 can load in high quality models fast enough thanks to the ssd but it is epic and unreal that is enabling developers to no longer have to set up LODS.

[Bluemaster77]

An SSD... Making it so somehow a GPU can render everything all the time at max detail with no distance limitations.. ok

This SSD thing has gotten completely out of hand.